I have been playing harmonica on and off since I was 11 years old. I could not play the blues just straight harp because I could not bend. I am now 65 and after watching this video, I finally could do it. I can now start playing the blues. Thank you so very much.
🎉🎉🎉 hey Luke, you’re the bomb man. Thank you for all your lessons. I’m just a beginner I’m an ex-drummer. I also play a little Hammond, Oregon with a Leslie speaker but I love harmonica the best thanks buddy keep up the great work we appreciate you more than we can say take care and God bless❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😊
I tried to learn harmonica when I was in high school, but gave up when I couldn't figure out the bends. I just started learning again, and I think I've almost got the knack. Thanks, dude.
You're a magician. After tons of tutorials and not getting it, with yours I got my first bend in an hour. I don't even know how it just feels natural now. Thank you vert much from my small lutherie workshop in Madrid, Spain!
I just started playing the harmonica, and I've tried several online tutorials. This is, by far, the best I've found. As for bending, I've found the less I focus on it and just "do it" the easier it is. Thanks for creating such a chill "environment" to learn in, I look forward to watching more videos and getting better, even if I can't play along with you since my harp is in E.
Thanks Bryan! Glad it's helping. And, YES, that's it man: Don't try HARDER, try EASIER. The less you care, the better you do. LOL. But it's true. Also...Dude, I definitely recommend that you buy a C harmonica! Maybe a Fender Blues Deluxe if you're on a budget. Here's my brand recommendation article: www.harmonica.com/which-harmonica-to-buy/
😂🤣😂🤣 I have the same issue, my Harp is in E too, but because I’m enjoying playing So Much, I’m going to purchase a C Harmonica as soon as possible. Although I’ve only been learning for the past few weeks, I’m enjoying this instrument so much, I’m all in. Keep practicing and I wish you only the best. Be well.
I recently moved up from a Eastop to a Fender Blues DeVile. What a big diff . The sound is so much richer and full. Btw, you're a natural teacher. The tip about slowing down to hear the bend was spot on. I have a buddy who is a life long music teacher commented that I was getting bends. I just didn't realize I was doing it. Thanks for your help man!@Harmonicacom
I literally jump out of my chair as soon as I got it! The best Que was the “kk” noise mixed with an airplane falling, coolest sound ever! Thanks a lot!
This is super nerdy story but. My Mom bought me a harmonica as a kid in the 90’s. I played the heck out of it, went as far as the learning material I had could take me since I lived in super rural Eastern, OR and there wasn’t youtube back then. I kinda got stuck in a rut and quit playing it. A few years later I got into contest duck calling (already said super nerdy) Well all the things I learned playing a harmonica directly translated to playing a duck call. Channeling air, changing pitch, riffs, cadence even bending notes. I went on to win over 15 state and regional titles, even took 2nd runner up at the World Duck Calling Championship. I always tell people it was playing the harmonica that gave me my unique sound. 30 years later I’ve found a new passion for playing the harmonica thanks in part to your channel! Thank you!
Hi. I’m 74 and just started playing the harmonica. I absolutely love it and you are my buddy. Greatest teacher ever you had so much to the video. I think you’re super thank you for your great lesson.. keep it up. I’m loving it thank you.
I just bought my harmonica yesterday out of curiosity and apparently there's much more to it than I would have imagined. You have explained the technique extremely well and I can now consistently bend the first draw. The other ones still won't even budge, but you gave me a head start. Thank you!
You are one heck of an instructor. You’re knowledgeable, articulate, and are very good at illustrating what I consider esoteric and sometimes complex topics pertaining to the harmonica. There are not many people like you. Thank you.
I did it! But it wasn't because of your technique, it was because of your exercises! AWESOME! I choose you as my teacher! :-D Thanks mate for your incredible explanations.
I'm impressed! I watched several videos, read lessons, but nothing works for me. After a few minutes watching your video the bending works on the most canals! Of course I have to practice for a while before it works right away. Thanks for your help!
You’ve probably got this a billion times but I just showed my friends and family that I can play country roads take me home all because of you, thank you man.
First time I try harmónica, this is my third video on youtube about how to bend, took me literally 10 mins and I can do it now!! THANK YOU, YOU'RE A LEGEND!!! 🙏🏽
Amazing, thorough and very supporting teaching right there. My friends got me a C Hohner blues harp for my bday years ago while we were juke joint hopping in Clarksdale, Mississippi. A bunch of Europeans digging the blues... and I've just begun playing it after watching your videos. So, thank you a million.
Omg. You are an amazing teacher Luke. This was a phenomenal lesson. I was able to bend those notes by the end of this. All of your techniques combined make it so do-able. It just clicked after weeks of messing around with it by myself. I’m hooked.
Luke maaaaaan! I have seen hundreds of harmonica related videos (not to mention books, CDs) but this explaination is the best (that presentation with sheet of paper etc). Lucky ones who see this first. Congratulations!
Hey Luke, picked up the special 20 about a week ago maybe 2! Have already learned the beginner songs you have shared. 3 weeks past shoulder surgery and been watching every video of yours possible, just figures out how to bend my first note! I love this instrument and the instruction. You are a very good teacher!! Thank you and keep up the great work!
I just want to thank you for your videos I would say and having picked up in the harmonica this last month and a half your videos are the most comprehensive and you're just covering I just learned how to bend I was bending but I wasn't doing it as effectively as what I just learned from you in this video
As a bit of a musician i have picked up a harmonica quite a few times but never really understood it beyond its major chords - you just taught me how to bend a note in like 40 seconds after trying all day. 🎉
First of all, I want to say thank you!!!I'm a Japanese woman.😁 I started playing the blues harp last year.Your lessons are so Fun and easy to understand!
One of my friends is in a rock band that also plays southern rock . Not only that but plays harmonica and guitar it really got me into playing and learning how to play harmonica.
This is truly spectacular, what a lesson in bending. I came to this after watching your Amazing Grace lesson. I desperately wanted to bring in the bends but couldn't. Now I can 😃😃. I'm very happy 👍👍 Thank you so much
got a Hohner special 20 in C yesterday night, been loving it so far, so much more of an intricate instrument than I thought, Ive gotten a bend going a bit I'm sure just needs some practice! Ty for the great easy to digest info!
I just started and I did get my first bend! I’m in a cover band and I’m expected to play the harp solo at the end of the Pretenders song Middle Of The Road! I needed that bend technique. Thank you so much!
Although I need more practice on bending , I stil learnt how to bend and play the harmonica within a week and a half of buying it ! It also helps that I have prior musical education , I just found out how to play Mendelssohn's wedding martch on the harmonica and it's the funniest thing ever thanks to your spot on tutorial videos (on how to play single notes ,bending , positions etc) ! I am just eager to learn more and play the blues on the harmonica now ! Thanks a lot for your videos!
Friend told me to find a teacher and stick with that teacher, thats what i done and my harmonica has really come on,from finding clear single notes to bending (still finding hole 2 really difficult),so i thought it was about time i thanked Luke for helping me and im sure lots of other 'students',thanks again.keep up the great work.
Hey I'm 58 and love the sweet sound of the Harmonica, Just bought my first to learn on! Your Tutorials are so informative and easy to follow.. Thank you so much 😊
Professionals make bending look so easy, I thought I could just google it and voila! Did not realize what it actually takes to bend on a harmonica! Because of your vid, I bent my first note in about 10 minutes of practice. Wasn't much but it did bend! Thanks for giving me the tools to take my playing to the next level!
@@Harmonicacom Luke, the honer blues 20 harp. Is it in C ? You didn't make it clear, or I just didn't catch it. I've been looking at other people's videos, but your still on top. You will stay there Sir, no don't bout that. (The Newbie Student) Ingram, TX...
Been watching so many videos on harmonica. You are the best. You teach it simple and keep it simple. And make it easy to understand. Thanks for taking the time to do this!
Over and over and over and over is not for the lazy person and it isn't for the person who gives up easily, But it's got big paydays in "anything" we do. You put us 10 steps ahead with what you teach. I'll be back....
Hey Luke .... you have a lovely manner and your a damn good teacher, by far the best I've come across, you don't seem to leave a stone unturned leaving me with no excuses/questions; just have to go and practice and practice and ..... thanks and cheers from Margaret River Western Australia.
Ive started to play armonica since a couple of months and have improoved a lot druing this time , true also that Im a musician btw I play drum and percussion since ages and of course this helped me a lot however driven by love and deep couriosity Ive been checking lots of stuff online andnot only, I was bending already just one day it comes out like that but with your videos everything its even more clear to me now, thanks a lot buddy really a good tutorial clip !!!!
I did this instinctively the first time I picked up a harmonica because I've been whistling for years, but it wasn't working quite right. A few minutes with the video and there it is! Thanks
Have been playing around with the harmonica for about 2 months. Tried to learn bending for a few weeks by following several different videos but you explained very well. Just now got the 4 bend for the first time. Thanks alot!!
WOOO HOOOO!!! CONGRATS!!! Sometimes the days and weeks after getting your first bend can be super-frustrating as the ability comes and goes, so be patient with yourself. Congrats again! Aloha, Luke
I know one thing for sure now, a cheap, leaky harp, will make you feel out of breath and not much else. Thanks to Luke's reviews I'll have my first Special 20 by next week. Woot !
Great video, you explain really well and surely help enthusiasts, young and veteran players to understand what it takes to get from clean to bent! Beginners are clueless and other beginners think they will conquer bends within a week. I played some harmonicas since age 11 without bending, just for fun, and only in the last 4-5 years I started getting into playing seriously. I need to stress patience and practice and playing and connecting to the harmonica, improving your single notes to be clear and calm before attempting to bend, as starting to bend in early stage will ruin your playing and make you play stressful and with bad tone! Once you control long clean tones and play without any stress, you can start bending. 6 months ahead, your bends should be stabilized, it is fact of life - you might be able to bend earlier, but to really GET IT, you need to think 6 months ahead and just play and set goals. Same for overbends - another 6 months until you master them, but it will be easier as overblow is similar to blow bends and overdraws is similar to draw bends. Play the note you wish to bend TO, on tone generator, virtual piano, keyboard, melodica, phone app, and try to get to the tone. Go from a clean tone to bent note, and in time you could get directly to the bent note.
Just wanna say thanks for your content helping me get started. Decided to try this tin sandwich out and after some instruction from your videos.. I found out I’m not half bad at this! Now I’m playing songs like Dirty Old Town by the Pogues and Broken Window Serenade by Whiskey Myers and I’m getting better every day.
@ Great tunes. If you haven’t done one yet, I would love a video on some recommended harnesses. I play guitar too so when I get good enough I plan to go full Bob Dylan 😂
Amazing! I watched two or three videos, they all sounded similar and i couldnt get it. I'm like "I'll try this one and then just quit for a bit." But i got it! Only an hour later and i can do it on command and start in bent position. You're a master among men Luke, mahalo 🙌🏻
This video is so helpful. I watched someone else and the way they explained it was so confusing. I was able to bent my notes with in the first 4 minutes of this video.
I'm in the same boat with the comment right below me. I've been teaching myself/ learning harmonica on TH-cam, this is about the 4th person I watched and the 1st that explained it to where I got a bend. I've got a lot of practice to do, but I've finally managed to pull off a noticeable bend. I'll be watching all your lessons and I really appreciate your teaching technique
Im 35 and have been playing on and off since i was around 15/16. Couldnt bend on command but i've accidentally bended plenty of times. That tip about tilting the harp helps give me hear the sound i need to chase. First vid i've seen about doing that so thank you. Tried that bending tool, on my C harp i can bend a few notes somewhat well )draw 1 bend is really easy) but on my G harp things are trickier.
You certainly are the best teacher ever, and your tips are pure genius : I'd tried every trick in the book to bend a note properly, quite unsuccessfully - and then, after just a few minutes using your technique... it works!! Wow, what a great new year's gift!! Thank you!😃
I don/t know how many times I have gone through this lesson but its working/ I almost kept up with you on the country road. YIPEEEE! I lose the timing when I have to go from blow to draw.
Worked like a charm!! I mean.. WOW! got some bending going on before the first hour with my new harmonica! This works almost too well. I've tried other videos, and i wasn't getting anywhere. The Kahzone is where it's at man.
Congrasts! Just make sure you're not sacrificing the deep relaxed mouth position explained in this vid th-cam.com/video/Zc-EcRFrxcA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Tj3HKTExuDkEf5gz
That intro tho LOL 😂😂 Thx for the heads up! a week later and things were not getting any easier.. i think i've glossed over the proper beginner instructions and now that came back to bite me ... i already messed up my fav harmonica (LO harmonic minor) trying to fix the 2 draw because it was kinda muted/choking 😕💔.. Anyway, I've started applying the deep relaxed mouth position on my remaining harmonica and that's working great for me, it's projecting a lot better and I'm able to slide up and down quite easily. Thank you for all the effort you're putting into these tutorials man, they're really helpful. Cheerio 🙏🏻❤️
This is the best bending tutorial on TH-cam. As I was practicing along with the video all of a sudden, just for a second, I was hitting the bent note perfectly. Then I lost it. So I'm trying to focus on what it feels like when the note bends properly and seeing if I can make my mouth shape feel like that again. But I was amazed that, even though I can't control it yet, how far that 3 draw would bend. Now I just have to go from the "sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't" phase to understanding how I'm controlling it. But before this video, it never bent. Awesome!
You guys! I literally just did it on the 1 hole!!!!!! I bought my first harp today- the Special 20. I have never actually played harmonica but messed around with my dad's when I was a teenager. Thank you so much! I am really excited. I am covering Roadhouse Blues as a vocalist(yeah yeah- overplayed, but I have NEVER gotten to cover classic songs, let alone blues- my favorite genre) and heard the harp parts and decided yesterday that I am going to learn how to do it. I am so stoked!!!!!
That is awesome! Before you get too into single notes and bending (for Roadhouse Blues) make sure you have the right mouth position: th-cam.com/video/3a_aXi1q8oY/w-d-xo.html Also, Roadhouse Blues is a GREAT song! I love it, and that's why I included it in my Beginner to Boss course. People are gonna be blown away when you play it! If you wanna check out Beginner to Boss it's here: www.harmonica.com/lessons/ Rock on Joanna! Aloha, Luke
i started harmonica about 2 months back i think and when i first got it i tried this bending video but it didnt worked and know im trying again it still does not work for me but i dont give up. i started blues after the first time i watched some of your videos . and i dont bend but im in school band or something and im going to play something with guitar backing me. it does not matter if i cant bend but i firstly learned harmonica by your videos and i want to thank you so much! EDIT: I think its been 10 - 5 minutes and now i suddenly started bending. i can do -1` well but at -4` i cant seem to do it well. but it will pass with some hard working. and i cant do the -2 hole can you help? its like when i try to suck it no sound comes and then it starts an awful sctartching sound which is a pain in ears.
I've been a singer and dabbled with instruments my whole life, so bending has been very frustrating, because I know exactly what I WANT to do but couldn't. haha. During covid I tried to teach myself to whistle, with limited, but productive results. Again, I know the pitch, but can't always quite get it there. Some mouth shapes are more conducive to different whistling techniques, and for bending here, I wonder if that's the same. Tilting the harmonica was the tip I needed to start to understand what was happening in my mouth's shape. If you also have had a hard time whistling, I suggest trying that.
Such a great video, I have a special 20 in the key of C. I can only bend some of the notes. #2 is impossible but #1 and #4, I can bend quite well. Can't bend anything outward, only when drawing a breath. I'll keep working at it though thanks for the tips!
Hola,muchas gracias idolo por este video tan importante pero bueno aun no he podido lograr mi primer bending,llevo 3 semanas con la honher big river harp y toco solamente notas limpias.Saludos desde Argentina.
Yeah Big River harp is your problem - they are terrible. Special 20 or Lee Oskar would be better, or if you're on a tight budget the East Top 008k is great.
Hello Luke! I commented already in your website but needed to thank you again here for your analytic, simplified explanations. You were the best so far to break up everything around bending a begginer needs to go forward, in pieces. Wish you and your loveones all the best and keep up the good work!
I have been playing harmonica on and off since I was 11 years old. I could not play the blues just straight harp because I could not bend. I am now 65 and after watching this video, I finally could do it. I can now start playing the blues. Thank you so very much.
WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!! CONGRATS!!! Just in time for the New Year! Have fun...
🎉🎉🎉 hey Luke, you’re the bomb man. Thank you for all your lessons. I’m just a beginner I’m an ex-drummer. I also play a little Hammond, Oregon with a Leslie speaker but I love harmonica the best thanks buddy keep up the great work we appreciate you more than we can say take care and God bless❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😊
All these years not able to bend and then watching this video I can bend now although not very good yet, Thank you so much LUKE!!!
Wooo hooo! CONGRATS! You got this!
@@Harmonicacom Thank you for the reply, The only problem I have bow is dry mouth because of medication any tips for dry mouth?
@@Harmonicacom i can do it on first but not on four
You’ve explained bending the best... I’ve been trying for years and came across your video... Thank you
Wow, man I'm proud of you; I'm catching hell something fierce, but I will not be defeated..
I tried to learn harmonica when I was in high school, but gave up when I couldn't figure out the bends. I just started learning again, and I think I've almost got the knack. Thanks, dude.
AMAZING!! CONGRATS! Rock on! 😎
You're a magician. After tons of tutorials and not getting it, with yours I got my first bend in an hour. I don't even know how it just feels natural now. Thank you vert much from my small lutherie workshop in Madrid, Spain!
WOW! This totally made my day. CONGRATS ON GETTING YOUR FIRST BEND! I'm so happy. Wish I could come visit you in Spain! Aloha from Hawaii, Luke
I just started playing the harmonica, and I've tried several online tutorials. This is, by far, the best I've found.
As for bending, I've found the less I focus on it and just "do it" the easier it is. Thanks for creating such a chill "environment" to learn in, I look forward to watching more videos and getting better, even if I can't play along with you since my harp is in E.
Thanks Bryan! Glad it's helping. And, YES, that's it man: Don't try HARDER, try EASIER. The less you care, the better you do. LOL. But it's true.
Also...Dude, I definitely recommend that you buy a C harmonica! Maybe a Fender Blues Deluxe if you're on a budget. Here's my brand recommendation article: www.harmonica.com/which-harmonica-to-buy/
me too
😂🤣😂🤣 I have the same issue, my Harp is in E too, but because I’m enjoying playing So Much, I’m going to purchase a C Harmonica as soon as possible. Although I’ve only been learning for the past few weeks, I’m enjoying this instrument so much, I’m all in. Keep practicing and I wish you only the best. Be well.
I recently moved up from a Eastop to a Fender Blues DeVile. What a big diff . The sound is so much richer and full. Btw, you're a natural teacher. The tip about slowing down to hear the bend was spot on. I have a buddy who is a life long music teacher commented that I was getting bends. I just didn't realize I was doing it. Thanks for your help man!@Harmonicacom
I literally jump out of my chair as soon as I got it! The best Que was the “kk” noise mixed with an airplane falling, coolest sound ever! Thanks a lot!
This is super nerdy story but. My Mom bought me a harmonica as a kid in the 90’s. I played the heck out of it, went as far as the learning material I had could take me since I lived in super rural Eastern, OR and there wasn’t youtube back then. I kinda got stuck in a rut and quit playing it. A few years later I got into contest duck calling (already said super nerdy) Well all the things I learned playing a harmonica directly translated to playing a duck call. Channeling air, changing pitch, riffs, cadence even bending notes. I went on to win over 15 state and regional titles, even took 2nd runner up at the World Duck Calling Championship. I always tell people it was playing the harmonica that gave me my unique sound. 30 years later I’ve found a new passion for playing the harmonica thanks in part to your channel! Thank you!
WOW! So cool! GREAT STORY! Thanks for sharing. Glad the vids are helping and that you're playing again. ROCK ON!!! 😎
@@Harmonicacom Merry Christmas!
Hi. I’m 74 and just started playing the harmonica. I absolutely love it and you are my buddy. Greatest teacher ever you had so much to the video. I think you’re super thank you for your great lesson.. keep it up. I’m loving it thank you.
Wow, thanks! Rock on! 😎
I just bought my harmonica yesterday out of curiosity and apparently there's much more to it than I would have imagined.
You have explained the technique extremely well and I can now consistently bend the first draw. The other ones still won't even budge, but you gave me a head start. Thank you!
Right on Sully! Here are some important fundamentals I encourage you to practice first:
www.harmonica.com/how-to-play-the-harmonica/
Rock on,
Luke
You are one heck of an instructor. You’re knowledgeable, articulate, and are very good at illustrating what I consider esoteric and sometimes complex topics pertaining to the harmonica. There are not many people like you. Thank you.
Wow, thank you for your kind words! 🙏🏼
3 hours of practicing and now i can do basic bend!
Thank you so much!!!
Fantastic! HUGE CONGRATS!!!!
I did it! But it wasn't because of your technique, it was because of your exercises! AWESOME! I choose you as my teacher! :-D Thanks mate for your incredible explanations.
I'm impressed! I watched several videos, read lessons, but nothing works for me. After a few minutes watching your video the bending works on the most canals! Of course I have to practice for a while before it works right away. Thanks for your help!
Wow! CONGRATS!! You're welcome. It's my pleasure. Rock on
You’ve probably got this a billion times but I just showed my friends and family that I can play country roads take me home all because of you, thank you man.
Aw right on man. Thanks for sharing. Makes me happy. Rock on! 😎
First time I try harmónica, this is my third video on youtube about how to bend, took me literally 10 mins and I can do it now!! THANK YOU, YOU'RE A LEGEND!!! 🙏🏽
Wow, that's amazing. Congratulations! Nice work! Glad the video helped. ROCK ON. 🤘🏼
Amazing, thorough and very supporting teaching right there.
My friends got me a C Hohner blues harp for my bday years ago while we were juke joint hopping in Clarksdale, Mississippi. A bunch of Europeans digging the blues... and I've just begun playing it after watching your videos. So, thank you a million.
Omg. You are an amazing teacher Luke. This was a phenomenal lesson. I was able to bend those notes by the end of this. All of your techniques combined make it so do-able. It just clicked after weeks of messing around with it by myself. I’m hooked.
Glad it was helpful, Al!
You are a gifted educator. Thank you. I loved all my classes with you thus far. Keep up the great work X
Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it Emma!
Thank you very much! The best harmonica teacher i found in TH-cam.
You're very welcome. And thanks for your kind words!
Luke maaaaaan! I have seen hundreds of harmonica related videos (not to mention books, CDs) but this explaination is the best (that presentation with sheet of paper etc). Lucky ones who see this first. Congratulations!
Wow, thanks! I really appreciate it.
I watched this first after seeing his review on the website!!!! I am one of those lucky ones!
Hey Luke, picked up the special 20 about a week ago maybe 2! Have already learned the beginner songs you have shared. 3 weeks past shoulder surgery and been watching every video of yours possible, just figures out how to bend my first note! I love this instrument and the instruction. You are a very good teacher!! Thank you and keep up the great work!
Awesome!! That's great to hear, keep it up. 😎
I just want to thank you for your videos I would say and having picked up in the harmonica this last month and a half your videos are the most comprehensive and you're just covering I just learned how to bend I was bending but I wasn't doing it as effectively as what I just learned from you in this video
Wonderful! Glad to hear it Michael. Rock on! 😎
As a bit of a musician i have picked up a harmonica quite a few times but never really understood it beyond its major chords - you just taught me how to bend a note in like 40 seconds after trying all day. 🎉
Aw thanks for the note. Right on. 🙌🏼
Yeah, I succeded with your explenations ! Thanks so much. 😃
Great job!
First of all, I want to say thank you!!!I'm a Japanese woman.😁 I started playing the blues harp last year.Your lessons are so Fun and easy to understand!
Wonderful! thanks for the note. Rock on!
One of my friends is in a rock band that also plays southern rock . Not only that but plays harmonica and guitar it really got me into playing and learning how to play harmonica.
Woo hoo!! You got this! 👊🏼
This is truly spectacular, what a lesson in bending. I came to this after watching your Amazing Grace lesson. I desperately wanted to bring in the bends but couldn't. Now I can 😃😃. I'm very happy 👍👍 Thank you so much
Wonderful! Big CONGRATS to you. That's a HUGE accomplishment. Stoked. Rock on! 😎
got a Hohner special 20 in C yesterday night, been loving it so far, so much more of an intricate instrument than I thought, Ive gotten a bend going a bit I'm sure just needs some practice! Ty for the great easy to digest info!
SHEESH! Pulling off “Long Train Runnin” would be a huge life achievement for me! I LOVE that song and that solo!😂
Holy lord! Finally an explanation besides the same repeated "tips" that you go from an 'ah' to 'ooo' mouthshape
LOL. Hope you get your first bend my friend! 🙏🏼
I just started and I did get my first bend! I’m in a cover band and I’m expected to play the harp solo at the end of the Pretenders song Middle Of The Road! I needed that bend technique. Thank you so much!
Congrats Irene! That's a HUGE accomplishment!!!
Although I need more practice on bending , I stil learnt how to bend and play the harmonica within a week and a half of buying it ! It also helps that I have prior musical education , I just found out how to play Mendelssohn's wedding martch on the harmonica and it's the funniest thing ever thanks to your spot on tutorial videos (on how to play single notes ,bending , positions etc) ! I am just eager to learn more and play the blues on the harmonica now ! Thanks a lot for your videos!
Friend told me to find a teacher and stick with that teacher, thats what i done and my harmonica has really come on,from finding clear single notes to bending (still finding hole 2 really difficult),so i thought it was about time i thanked Luke for helping me and im sure lots of other 'students',thanks again.keep up the great work.
Aw that's so cool. Congrats on all your awesome progress. So happy to be part of your journey.
Hey I'm 58 and love the sweet sound of the Harmonica, Just bought my first to learn on! Your Tutorials are so informative and easy to follow.. Thank you so much 😊
Glad to hear it! Rock on! 😎
Professionals make bending look so easy, I thought I could just google it and voila! Did not realize what it actually takes to bend on a harmonica! Because of your vid, I bent my first note in about 10 minutes of practice. Wasn't much but it did bend! Thanks for giving me the tools to take my playing to the next level!
Awesome. Congrats! This tool might help you more:
www.harmonica.com/bending-tool/
You teach Harmonica like Joey Tribianni teaches acting... Ironically, you were the only one who taught me how to bend! Thanks man...
You're welcome. It's my pleasure. Rock on! 😎
Never played the harmonica. Got my first bend 20 minutes in. Thanks!
CONGRATS!!
You are the most instructive teacher yet. This is real teaching. I'm now your student!!!
Happy to hear that, Paul! Glad the vids are helping. Rock on, Luke
@@Harmonicacom Luke, the honer blues 20 harp. Is it in C ? You didn't make it clear, or I just didn't catch it. I've been looking at other people's videos, but your still on top. You will stay there Sir, no don't bout that. (The Newbie Student) Ingram, TX...
I'm going to try again after 30 years. I decided to try again because of your youtube. Thank you.
That's awesome to hear! I'm glad you're back in the game! You got this! 👊🏼
That's absolutely the best explanation I have seen on bending a note. Finally I can do it :)
Wow! Congrats!!!!!!
I’m a totally new-beginner. You are an excellent teacher. I don’t need to think how to do it because you explain it perfectly. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful! You got this. 👊🏼
Been watching so many videos on harmonica. You are the best. You teach it simple and keep it simple. And make it easy to understand. Thanks for taking the time to do this!
You're very welcome, Greg! Thanks for watching, and thanks for your kind words. ROCK ON! 🤘🏼
Over and over and over and over is not for the lazy person and it isn't for the person who gives up easily, But it's got big paydays in "anything" we do.
You put us 10 steps ahead with what you teach.
I'll be back....
Well said! And thank you for your kind words. ROCK ON.
I'm a teacher myself (History), and I can say, man, you're such a good teacher!
big thanks! God bless you for teaching!!!
Wow! I started playing yesterday and 8:55 into the video I got the bend :) thanks
Crazy. Make sure you check this out: th-cam.com/video/3a_aXi1q8oY/w-d-xo.html
I bought a harmonica course recently but the explanation wasn't meh. I watch some video of yt but this right here is the best one of all
Niiiiice. glad it helped. You got this! 👊🏼
I always enjoy your videos, Luke. They are outstanding, effective, and enjoyable. You are a total wizard! Keep sharing...
I appreciate that so much! Thank you. 👊🏼
Worked instantly. Thanks, this was so helpful, best video i could find on the topic!
wow! BIG CONGRATS on getting into bending! It's a whole new world! Woooo hooooo! 😎
Thank you!!! All techniques helps a lot! I bend the note, even I play just for 2 days. Just practise. Thank you again.
congrats!
Second day playing harmonica. This just helped me learn it so well. Your vids are great!
right on Joshua. Rock on! 😎
thanx soooo much....could do my first bending with tilting...... sooooooo happyyyy.. thanx thanx thanx..soo positive teaching.. great.. thanx again..
Sweeeeet. BIG CONGRATS. 🙌🏼
Hey Luke .... you have a lovely manner and your a damn good teacher, by far the best I've come across, you don't seem to leave a stone unturned leaving me with no excuses/questions; just have to go and practice and practice and ..... thanks and cheers from Margaret River Western Australia.
Wow just got my first bend!! I'm so happy rigth now! Now all my friends will know the low rider!
Amazing. Big congrats!!
Ive started to play armonica since a couple of months and have improoved a lot druing this time , true also that Im a musician btw I play drum and percussion since ages and of course this helped me a lot however driven by love and deep couriosity Ive been checking lots of stuff online andnot only, I was bending already just one day it comes out like that but with your videos everything its even more clear to me now, thanks a lot buddy really a good tutorial clip !!!!
I did this instinctively the first time I picked up a harmonica because I've been whistling for years, but it wasn't working quite right. A few minutes with the video and there it is! Thanks
Great job! CONGRATS!
Ваши уроки великолепны! Спасибо большое)
Excellent tutorial, thank you. Got my first bend by the end of the video!
Fantastic! BIG CONGRATS!!!!! 🙌🏼
I was trying hard bending for a few days. When i found your video i did it in a moment! Thank you so much
AMAZING. Congratulations on your progress! 😎
You are a great teacher, my skills have improved dramatically since finding your channel today.
That's great! 🙌🏼 Glad to help.
THANK YOU! your video is so perfect, i try to bending for a month, with your video, i can bend under 20 minute! now i can play blues!
That was awesome. This was the most helpful tutorial on bending that I have found. I was bending notes within minutes.
AMAZING!! Rock on! 😎
Have been playing around with the harmonica for about 2 months. Tried to learn bending for a few weeks by following several different videos but you explained very well. Just now got the 4 bend for the first time. Thanks alot!!
WOOO HOOOO!!! CONGRATS!!! Sometimes the days and weeks after getting your first bend can be super-frustrating as the ability comes and goes, so be patient with yourself. Congrats again!
Aloha,
Luke
You explained this so well that I was able to get my first bend while watching! Thank you!
CONGRATS!!!!!
I know one thing for sure now, a cheap, leaky harp, will make you feel out of breath and not much else. Thanks to Luke's reviews I'll have my first Special 20 by next week. Woot !
Ooooo. That's exciting. You're gonna love it!
Thanks a lot, after 20 minutes i made my first bend 😄💪💪
Fantastic! Congrats!!!
Great video! I think I managed to bend after the first watch, but only on the first hole, and with the technique of HEEEE-YUUUW
Great job! CONGRATS!!! That's HUGE!!!
Finally i did it, i have been trying for moths until i tried with this technique, Thank you so much
You are so welcome Emiliano! 😊 And here's a HUGE CONGRATS!!!!!!! Welcome to a whole new world! 🙌🏼
Great video, you explain really well and surely help enthusiasts, young and veteran players to understand what it takes to get from clean to bent!
Beginners are clueless and other beginners think they will conquer bends within a week.
I played some harmonicas since age 11 without bending, just for fun, and only in the last 4-5 years I started getting into playing seriously. I need to stress patience and practice and playing and connecting to the harmonica, improving your single notes to be clear and calm before attempting to bend, as starting to bend in early stage will ruin your playing and make you play stressful and with bad tone!
Once you control long clean tones and play without any stress, you can start bending.
6 months ahead, your bends should be stabilized, it is fact of life - you might be able to bend earlier, but to really GET IT, you need to think 6 months ahead and just play and set goals. Same for overbends - another 6 months until you master them, but it will be easier as overblow is similar to blow bends and overdraws is similar to draw bends.
Play the note you wish to bend TO, on tone generator, virtual piano, keyboard, melodica, phone app, and try to get to the tone. Go from a clean tone to bent note, and in time you could get directly to the bent note.
Well said Zvika! I've used this a lot:
www.harmonica.com/bending-tool/
@@Harmonicacom That is a very nice online tool, I recommended it to my local group on FB. Thanks!
Just wanna say thanks for your content helping me get started. Decided to try this tin sandwich out and after some instruction from your videos.. I found out I’m not half bad at this! Now I’m playing songs like Dirty Old Town by the Pogues and Broken Window Serenade by Whiskey Myers and I’m getting better every day.
That's fantastic! I love those songs, too.
@ Great tunes. If you haven’t done one yet, I would love a video on some recommended harnesses. I play guitar too so when I get good enough I plan to go full Bob Dylan 😂
A fantastic lesson by a fantastic teacher, thanks man!
Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it! Glad you liked it! 👊🏼
Amazing! I watched two or three videos, they all sounded similar and i couldnt get it. I'm like "I'll try this one and then just quit for a bit." But i got it! Only an hour later and i can do it on command and start in bent position. You're a master among men Luke, mahalo 🙌🏻
WOW! That's amazing. Big congrats my friend! Hope you're having a blast exploring the new world of sound. 👊🏼😎🎶
This video is so helpful. I watched someone else and the way they explained it was so confusing. I was able to bent my notes with in the first 4 minutes of this video.
Woo hoo! CONGRATS Tyson!
I got it an hour after i watched the vid thank you you are a great teacher!
WOW! CONGRATS!!!!!! 🙌🏼 Thanks for the kind words.
I'm in the same boat with the comment right below me. I've been teaching myself/ learning harmonica on TH-cam, this is about the 4th person I watched and the 1st that explained it to where I got a bend. I've got a lot of practice to do, but I've finally managed to pull off a noticeable bend. I'll be watching all your lessons and I really appreciate your teaching technique
WOO HOO! CONGRATS DARELL!!! Getting your first bend is a huge deal.
U are amazing man!!!!! I learned to bend, its so much fun now!!!! :DD Ur such a great harmonica teacher, keep up the work!!
Sweet! Congrats! Thanks, glad you found helpful...
Perfectly explained. Got it at 2:38
CONGRATS!! 🥳
Im 35 and have been playing on and off since i was around 15/16. Couldnt bend on command but i've accidentally bended plenty of times. That tip about tilting the harp helps give me hear the sound i need to chase. First vid i've seen about doing that so thank you. Tried that bending tool, on my C harp i can bend a few notes somewhat well )draw 1 bend is really easy) but on my G harp things are trickier.
Yeah lower harps require bigger movements. Keep on working on it. CONGRATS on getting the -1' !!!!!!!! 🙌🏼
You are amazing, I think I bended on the first try, some 70mins after I picked up a harmonica for the first time.
That's crazy! Just make sure that you're keeping that deep relaxed mouth position. That's the key foundation at the beginning.
You certainly are the best teacher ever, and your tips are pure genius : I'd tried every trick in the book to bend a note properly, quite unsuccessfully - and then, after just a few minutes using your technique... it works!! Wow, what a great new year's gift!! Thank you!😃
Wow! Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it! Congratulations on your progress!!!! 🙌🏼
A great explanation of how it works, never seen that before.
Right on. Glad you liked it. 👊🏼
Likes, comments and bell buttons I don't give away for free. You Sir, got all 3!! Keep up the excellent work
Aw, thanks Christopher. I really appreciate it.
Rock on,
Luke
I don/t know how many times I have gone through this lesson but its working/ I almost kept up with you on the country road. YIPEEEE! I lose the timing when I have to go from blow to draw.
Right on Gary! Glad you're going for it my friend. Blessings.
Took me 15 minutes to bend my first note, Thanks!
Lucky son of a gun, Jack! Right on my friend. CONGRATS!!! 🙌🏼
I have no idea about harmonica but I like the way you talk and explain :)
YOU SHOULD BUY ONE!!!!
So glad I found your channel.
Me too! Rock on! 😎
Worked like a charm!!
I mean.. WOW! got some bending going on before the first hour with my new harmonica! This works almost too well. I've tried other videos, and i wasn't getting anywhere. The Kahzone is where it's at man.
Congrasts! Just make sure you're not sacrificing the deep relaxed mouth position explained in this vid
th-cam.com/video/Zc-EcRFrxcA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Tj3HKTExuDkEf5gz
That intro tho LOL 😂😂
Thx for the heads up! a week later and things were not getting any easier.. i think i've glossed over the proper beginner instructions and now that came back to bite me ... i already messed up my fav harmonica (LO harmonic minor) trying to fix the 2 draw because it was kinda muted/choking 😕💔.. Anyway, I've started applying the deep relaxed mouth position on my remaining harmonica and that's working great for me, it's projecting a lot better and I'm able to slide up and down quite easily.
Thank you for all the effort you're putting into these tutorials man, they're really helpful. Cheerio 🙏🏻❤️
This is the best bending tutorial on TH-cam. As I was practicing along with the video all of a sudden, just for a second, I was hitting the bent note perfectly. Then I lost it. So I'm trying to focus on what it feels like when the note bends properly and seeing if I can make my mouth shape feel like that again. But I was amazed that, even though I can't control it yet, how far that 3 draw would bend. Now I just have to go from the "sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't" phase to understanding how I'm controlling it. But before this video, it never bent. Awesome!
Right on. Thanks for your kind words. And CONGRATS ON GETTING A BEND!!! WOO HOOO! Yep it may come and go for days or weeks, but you'll get it. 👌🏼
You guys! I literally just did it on the 1 hole!!!!!! I bought my first harp today- the Special 20. I have never actually played harmonica but messed around with my dad's when I was a teenager. Thank you so much! I am really excited. I am covering Roadhouse Blues as a vocalist(yeah yeah- overplayed, but I have NEVER gotten to cover classic songs, let alone blues- my favorite genre) and heard the harp parts and decided yesterday that I am going to learn how to do it. I am so stoked!!!!!
That is awesome! Before you get too into single notes and bending (for Roadhouse Blues) make sure you have the right mouth position:
th-cam.com/video/3a_aXi1q8oY/w-d-xo.html
Also, Roadhouse Blues is a GREAT song! I love it, and that's why I included it in my Beginner to Boss course. People are gonna be blown away when you play it!
If you wanna check out Beginner to Boss it's here:
www.harmonica.com/lessons/
Rock on Joanna!
Aloha,
Luke
i have been trying to learn to bend notes for so long but with this tutorial I learnt it in first try
Woo hoo! CONGRATS!!!
You really are an incredible teacher. Thank you
Just got my new harmonica the other day. I can’t wait to learn!
You got this!
i started harmonica about 2 months back i think and when i first got it i tried this bending video but it didnt worked and know im trying again it still does not work for me but i dont give up. i started blues after the first time i watched some of your videos . and i dont bend but im in school band or something and im going to play something with guitar backing me. it does not matter if i cant bend but i firstly learned harmonica by your videos and i want to thank you so much!
EDIT:
I think its been 10 - 5 minutes and now i suddenly started bending. i can do -1` well but at -4` i cant seem to do it well. but it will pass with some hard working. and i cant do the -2 hole can you help? its like when i try to suck it no sound comes and then it starts an awful sctartching sound which is a pain in ears.
I am a beginner, thanks for your free lessons.
You are welcome Diane!
I've been a singer and dabbled with instruments my whole life, so bending has been very frustrating, because I know exactly what I WANT to do but couldn't. haha. During covid I tried to teach myself to whistle, with limited, but productive results. Again, I know the pitch, but can't always quite get it there. Some mouth shapes are more conducive to different whistling techniques, and for bending here, I wonder if that's the same.
Tilting the harmonica was the tip I needed to start to understand what was happening in my mouth's shape. If you also have had a hard time whistling, I suggest trying that.
thanks for sharing?
Got my first bend by "drawing through a straw" method THANKS DUDE YOU ROCK
Congratulations!!!!! 😎
Such a great video, I have a special 20 in the key of C. I can only bend some of the notes. #2 is impossible but #1 and #4, I can bend quite well. Can't bend anything outward, only when drawing a breath. I'll keep working at it though thanks for the tips!
Yeah holes 1-6 only bend on draws, and 7-10 only on blows. Congrats on getting 1 and 4. EXCELLENT!!!
Hola,muchas gracias idolo por este video tan importante pero bueno aun no he podido lograr mi primer bending,llevo 3 semanas con la honher big river harp y toco solamente notas limpias.Saludos desde Argentina.
Yeah Big River harp is your problem - they are terrible. Special 20 or Lee Oskar would be better, or if you're on a tight budget the East Top 008k is great.
I did it! I'm so excited. Thank you Luke.
Awesome. BIG CONTRATS my friend. Rock on! 😎
The best tutorial on yt! Thanks to you, i can finally get all the notes.
WOOOO HOOO! BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU! And thank you for your kind words…
This actually worked, impressed. Subbed directly
WOO HOO!
Hello Luke! I commented already in your website but needed to thank you again here for your analytic, simplified explanations. You were the best so far to break up everything around bending a begginer needs to go forward, in pieces. Wish you and your loveones all the best and keep up the good work!
Awesome, thank you so much for you kind words! ROCK ON! 🎶